The Blue Roses Theatre Company: What’s in a name?

As we know, locations and venues in upstate New York, such as the beautiful Proctor’s Theatre in Downtown Schenectady, make for appealing destinations for Broadway theatrical production companies. In the New York State Assembly, I worked to ensure this year’s budget included a measure designed to encourage investments in, and increase tourism to, upstate cities by establishing tax credits for pre-Broadway and post-Broadway productions in New York State. The initiative, which creates a musical and theatrical production credit, gives a major boost to upstate theaters, including Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady. These tax credits could have a huge positive economic impact on our upstate cities. When these shows come to town, they bring people and spend money on local labor, transportation, housing, food and drink, and marketing, which has a great effect on our local economy!

An example of the significant economic impact that pre- and post-Broadway productions can have on cities, is Ghost the Musical, which showed at Proctor’s Theatre last year. From September 14 through September 20 – in just a single week – the production spent over $755,000 in the City of Schenectady. We can’t afford to lose these productions to other states

The importance of performing arts and their value to our communities should not be understated. In Schenectady, a hidden gem we are very fortunate to have is The John Sayles School of Fine Arts. Its students performed on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center and was awarded the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National Schools of Distinction in Arts Education. The school carries the name of one of its famous district graduates internationally known filmmaker, John Sayles. Housed in a 42,000 square foot wing at Schenectady High School, built as an addition in 2001, its mission is to foster academic and artistic exploration and growth.

NYS Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara with Director Bill Zeskin and the Schenectady High School Student Cast of the Blue Roses Theatre Company production of “Hairspray-the musical” moments after their last performance!

In the John Sayles School of Fine Arts community partnerships provide students some unique arts opportunities in our area. In cooperation with Proctors Theatre, it offers students the opportunity to write, direct, edit, and star in their own films.

The Sayles School of Fine Arts Blue Roses Theatre Company incorporates students and accomplished artists from both within the school district and the regional community in its productions. The Blue Roses Theatre Company produces four major theatre productions annually. Since opening in 1998, it has put on over 40 performances so far. Productions are supported in various courses throughout the school and continue afterschool with daily rehearsals.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara watches Schenectady High School Students of the Blue Roses Theatre Company during their last performance “Hairspray- the musical” in the Black Box Theater.

This weekend, I visited the school for a first-hand look. I watched some our talented Schenectady High School students perform on-stage during their production of “Hairspray-the musical” in their impressive 250-seat Black Box Theatre! During the intermission, I was honored present The Blue Roses Theatre Company and its student performers with some well deserved recognition from the New York State Assembly.

So, back to the title of this blog entry…What’s in a name? On October 21, 1998, The Blue Roses Theatre Company made its official debut with a performance of The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams. The name comes from a famous quote in the play that reads: “I wish that you were my sister. I’d teach you to have some confidence in yourself. The different people are not like other people, but being different is nothing to be ashamed of. Because other people are not such wonderful people. They’re one hundred times one thousand. You’re one times one! They walk all over the earth. You just stay here. They’re common as – weeds, but – you – well, you’re – Blue Roses!” - Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie, Scene 7.

For more about The Blue Roses Theatre Company and Schenectady City School District’s John Sayles School of Fine Arts, visit http://www.bluerosestheatre.org.